The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1887-07-14
THE ELDER SISTER;

in the Hemlock Ravine An occur
renee connected with it fixed 1t indeli.
bly, in my memory.
1t was Mrs. Estey who planned this
picnic. She was a gay young widow,
who spent her summers in our little
mountain village, and who had not
much to do. except to invent schemes
OF amusement and to carry out her
pleasant social plans. The picnic was
to close and surpass all the public
pleasures OF the season; for October
had come and the wind was growing
chilly, and the trees were turning red
and brown.
There were not more than a dozen
young people in the village, and Mrs.
Estey had taken me and my bosom
friend, Netty Thurston, into "socie-
ty," as she called 1t, though we were
still at school.
On the evening before the picnic 7
went over to Netty's to tea, as usual,
to discuss the affair. l found the
family at the tea-table.
What a pleasant room it was! The
low French windows opened on a
porch covered with jasmine, and be-
You'd, the lawn, with its c]ump of trees
and roses, sloped down to the woods.
Inside, q wood fire burned on the
hearth, for the evening was cool, and
an Argand lamp lighted the pretty
table, with its silver and delicate
china. To this day, whom think of
a cosey, happy home, I see that break
fast-room OF the old Thurston house.
That evening Judge Thurston and
his vile, their daughter Ellinor, Netty,
and two or three of Netty's friends,
were at the table. The Judge was
very deaf, and Mrs. Thurston was
always wrapped in her own thoughts.
Miss El!inOr was quiet as usual; so we
girls had all the conversation to our
selves, and that, of course seemed to
us the suitable order OF things.
Lou Heriot was deli GIFTED with Mrs.
Estey's arrangements. "She has Sc
cured six boats, and we are to row up
the river six miles until we reach the
Hemlock Ravine. My sister was there
once. She says it used to be the fav.
orite resort OF the young people Of the
last generation, and that it is the
widest, loveliest spot in the world.
We can stay together, or wander off il
we choose. We shall come home bv
moonlight"
"Oh. delicious" cried Netty. clap.
ping her hands. ut Will be q day il.
Paradise!"
Lou glanced at ME, and laughed.
We fancied that Netty's Paradise
would consist in flirting with Sam
Farley. Even l, though l was not
ed for mo ~ that most considerable OF
chaperons, Mrs. Estey. l secretly
wondered what stately Mrs. Thurs
ton would say If she guessed at our
proceedings.
"Ellinor," said Netty, turning to her
sister, twill you see that my lunch is
put up? And Just look over my blue
merino, please; l think the gathers
are ripped"
Miss Ellinor smiled and nodded.
Most of Netty's friends considered her
sister "too sweet for anything" be-
cause she was SO ready to take all
that young woman's burdens on her
shoulders. II anything could have
atoned in our eyes for the misery and
disgrace OF being an "old Waid," it
was the gentle unselfshness OF Ellinor
Thurston. She was a woman of thir-
ty, and, as my maturer judgment now
tells me, of a rare and fine type OF
beauty. very different from Netty' g
fat, high-colored charms; but an "old
maid" was. in our opinion, an object
of sympathy and charity in any fam
lily.
Mrs. Thurston, to our surprise, had
heard Netty's orders, and said, quiet
ly, "You are quite old enough, Henri
eta, to attend to your own luncheon
and clothes. I wish you, Eil,nor, to
rest this evening, if you are going to
Hemlock Ravine tomorrow"
"Going! To, Hemlock Ravine!"
gasped Netty. "Are you going to the
picnic?"
The other girls said nothing, but we
listened, aghast, for the answer.
II was invited, Netty," said Ellinor,
gently. II have not gone anywhere
for a year or two, as you know; but
thought I should like to 60 to the ra-
vine once more-for certain reasons. -
Her voice, always low and soft,
trembled, as if the tears were not far
off. If / had not been so angry,
should have been touched.
Netty made no reply, but she
shrugged her shoulders contemptuous-
ly, and began to eat her supper with
ominous haste. 1saw that she was
in q passion. Here, certainly, was an
end of any Irritation with Sam Farleyl
II shall not interfere with you
young people," said Ellinor, smiling
patiently. CDR. Scudder will row me
up the river, and there are some
places that 1 should like to see again.
/ will be one of the party that will
wander of by themselves >" trying
to jest.
"Oh, you can go If you like, and do
what you like when you are there, -
said Netty, with q toss of her head.
'Henrietta!" said her mother, in q
low voice. Netty rose from the table,
and rushed up to her own room. We
soon followed her.
''The old thingl'' she broke out.
"What has she to do in society,"
When women get to that age, they
ought to know that their room is bet
ter than their company"
They lag super1uous on the
stage" said Lou Heriot, who always
had q quotation ready to fling at you.
mo Sam Farley for you tomorrow,
Netty! No beaux for any ofus. Well
have to remember that we are little
girls as my mother says, and behave
like tho lambs from the primary
( school,"
ooh, for goodness sake bush, Lou